ACLU themes in movies (most synopses taken from moviesunlimited.com) Free Speech: • “Inherit the Wind” – (1960) Explosive courtroom drama, based on the famed Scopes "Monkey Trial" of the '20s that pitted Creationists against Evolutionists and Clarence Darrow against William Jennings Bryan. The magnificent cast, directed by Stanley Kramer, includes Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York, Donna Anderson and Claude Akins. • “The People vs. Larry Flynt” – 1996 movie about porn king Larry Flynt’s battles against censorship, in which a young ACLU attorney (played by Edward Norton) defends Flynt’s First Amendment right to publish offensive material. Synopsis: Milos Forman expertly directs the viewer's sympathy toward Larry Flynt (Woody Harrelson in a superb performance): smut peddler, misogynist, and Editor in Chief of the infamous Hustler magazine. Born in the back woods of Appalachia, the young Flynt--in an opening scene that immediately grabs and amuses--is seen selling moonshine as a child to alcoholic hermits. Flash forward to the 1960s, and he's running a go-go club where he meets the wild (and strangely loveable) Althea Leasure (Courtney Love) who becomes his soul mate and wife. Life is not as sweet as it first seems for the porn king who finds a massive readership for his magazine (the first to show crotch shots). He soon finds himself in the middle of several Supreme Court law suits, and also as an assassin's target. While Flynt's various outrageous meetings with self-righteous Reverend Jerry Falwell (Richard Paul) and devout Christian Ruth Carter Stapleton (President Jimmy Carter's sister, played by Rudolph Giuliani's ex-wife Donna Hanover) are hilarious and smartly pointed, it is perhaps the touching, and ultimately tragic, love story between him and Althea that make him very human, and very interesting to watch. • “Dirty Pictures” – (2000). Synopsis: The events surrounding the 1990 obscenity trial of Cincinnati museum curator Dennis Barrie, who launched a nationwide controversy when his arts center exhibited sexually graphic photography of Robert Mapplethorpe, are brought to life in this compelling docudrama. James Woods stars as Barrie, whose prosecution came to symbolize the fight for freedom of expression. Craig T. Nelson, Diana Scarwid also star. • “Mark Twain: A Film Directed by Ken Burns” – PBS documentary aired January 14-15, 2002. Recommended for this list because it addresses themes like racism and censorship (book banning). • Made-for-tv movie about Skokie (not sure of the title). • "This is What Democracy Looks Like" which is about the Seattle WTO protests • “PCU” -- (1994). Synopsis: Outrageous comedy ensues when freshman Tom Lawrence tries to fit in at Port Chester University, a college boasting an array of sensitive special interest groups. While walking the tightrope between Republicans, the anti-meat brigade and "Womynists," Tom decides to hang out with a frat known for their partying abilities. Jeremy Piven, Chris Young and David Spade star. • “Bulworth” – 1998 slam on political correctness. Great for free speech, but not exactly on ACLU’s side in the campaign finance debate. Synopsis: Is the American public ready for a politician who tells the truth? In the final days of his re-election campaign, burned-out U.S. senator Warren Beatty takes out a contract on his own life and, with nothing to lose, begins speaking candidly about race relations, corruption and media politics to his astonished constituents. Halle Berry, Oliver Platt and Don Cheadle co-star in this bitingly sharp satire directed and co- scripted by Beatty. • “Fahrenheit 451” – 1967 classic on book banning. Synopsis: Francois Truffaut's only English-language film, his stark and gripping adaptation of Ray Bradbury's famed novel stars Oskar Werner as a book-burning "fireman" in a future society where all books and reading materials are banned. Julie Christie plays a dual role as Werner's wife and a bibliophile who opens his mind to the forbidden world of literature. Freedom of Association: • “The Front” – 1976 movie starring Woody Allen and Zero Mostel, about the McCarthy Era. Synopsis: In a rare "acting only" turn, Woody Allen plays a hack writer who serves as a "front" for blacklisted TV scripters during the McCarthy era of the mid-'50s. Martin Ritt's acerbic comedic look at the "witch hunts" is taken from personal experiences. • “The Majestic” – (2001) Synopsis: In this Capra-esque drama set during the 1950's blacklist, a young, ambitious Hollywood screenwriter (Jim Carrey) loses his job and his identity, only to find new courage, love and the power of conviction in the heart of a small town's life. • “Guilty by Suspicion” – (1991) Synopsis: Powerful study of the Hollywood blacklist of the 1950s starring Robert De Niro as a successful director who is given a choice by the House Un-American Activities Committee: name names of colleagues who are "Reds" or remain silent and risk his career. Annette Bening, George Wendt and Patricia Wettig also star in this compelling drama. • “The Manchurian Candidate” – 1962 classic about right-winger who calls someone a Communist; the accused man sues, wins, and donates award money to ACLU. Synopsis: One of the finest political thrillers ever made. John Frankenheimer's blend of Cold War paranoia and sly satire stars Laurence Harvey as a Korean War "hero" who has been brainwashed by the Soviets. Frank Sinatra is the war buddy who learns of the plot and must stop him; with Angela Lansbury, Janet Leigh, James Gregory, Henry Silva. Religious Freedom / Social Tolerance: • “The Crucible” – Unlike the original 1957 version, the 1996 version is in English. Synopsis of 1996 adaptation: Arthur Miller wrote the screenplay for director Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed adaptation of his allegorical drama set during the Salem Witch Trials in 17th-century Massachusetts. A young girl's spurning by her married lover leads to accusations of witchcraft, and soon an entire village is gripped in a fever of hysteria, bigotry and fear. Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Joan Allen and Paul Scofield star. • “Chocolat” – 2000 Oscar-nominated film about intolerance in a small, conservative village. Synopsis: Bittersweet tale from director Lasse Hallstrom is set in a small French village in 1959, where single mother Juliette Binoche arrives with daughter Victoire Thivisol and opens a chocolate shop. Soon, unhappy and repressed townsfolk like dour widow Judi Dench and abused wife Lena Olin are reinvigorated by Binoche's confections, but when iron- willed mayor Alfred Molina sees a radical change in his citizens' attitude, he tries to shut down the shop. With Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugh O'Conor, and Johnny Depp as an Irish river Gypsy seduced by Binoche's sweet spell. • “The Handmaid’s Tale” -- (1990) Synopsis: Eerie translation of Margaret Atwood's novel about a future America where right-wing fundamentalists rule the roost and women are subservient to men. One woman risks her life by rebelling against the people who see her only as a baby-maker and have taken her newborn child. Natasha Richardson, Faye Dunaway, Robert Duvall star. Adapted by Harold Pinter and directed by Volker Schlondorff. • “Pleasantville” – (1998). Synopsis: A mysterious remote control zaps contemporary teens Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon into the black-and-white suburban landscape of Maguire's favorite '50s sitcom, "Pleasantville," where their '90s attitudes inspire, agitate, and (literally) put color in the cheeks of the town's befuddledly wholesome citizens. Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy and Don Knotts also star in this inventive social comedy from "Big" scripter Gary Ross. • “Of Mice and Men” – (1992). Synopsis: A powerful, majestically acted version of John Steinbeck's classic about the relationship between the strong but feeble-minded Lennie (John Malkovich) and his protector, George (Gary Sinise), migrant laborers who toil in the California fields during the Depression. Ray Walston, Sherilyn Fenn and Casey Siemaszko also star; Sinise also directed from Horton Foote's script. Constitutional Democracy / Freedom: • “Seven Days in May” – (1964) Synopsis: Sensational political thriller about a noble but weak president (Fredric March) whose nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviets motivates a right-wing general (Burt Lancaster) to plot to overthrow the government. Kirk Douglas plays Lancaster's assistant, who accidentally learns of the coup and must stop it. With Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien. John Frankenheimer directs Rod Serling's script. • “The Patriot” – (2000). Synopsis: Mel Gibson is Benjamin Martin, the legendary "Hero of Fort Wilderness" who has left military life to raise his family on his South Carolina farm in 1776. But after a British commander torches his home and kills one of his sons, Gibson joins with oldest son Heath Ledger to lead a ragtag militia against the Redcoats. This stirring, action-packed epic from, appropriately, "Independence Day" director Roland Emmerich also stars Chris Cooper, Joely Richardson and Jason Isaacs. • “Braveheart” – (1995). Synopsis: Director/star Mel Gibson took home Best Picture and Best Director Academy Awards for this historical epic about 13th-century Scottish hero William Wallace, a farmer forced into fighting the forces of England's King Edward I after they kill his father and new wife. Highlighted by amazing battle scenes, the passionate saga also stars Patrick McGoohan, Sophie Marceau and Catherine McCormick. Due Process: • “Absence of Malice” – (1981). Synopsis: Timely, powerful drama questions the power of the contemporary press. A businessman unknowingly becomes the subject of a criminal investigation thanks to a story written by a feisty reporter. Fine acting by Paul Newman, Sally Field, Melinda Dillon. • “Waco: The Rules of Engagement” -- (1997). Synopsis: Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary, this controversial feature chronicles the 1993 standoff in Waco, Texas, between the Branch Davidian cultists led by David Koresh and federal agents from the FBI and ATF. Director William Gazecki uses interviews and footage from congressional hearings and newsreels to examine the events that led to more than 80 deaths.